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Homoeopathic and herbal prescribing in general practice in Scotland.

Ross S, Simpson CR, McLay JS

Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.

* Homoeopathy and herbalism are increasingly popular among the public and prescribed by general practitioners in the NHS. * Doctors and regulatory authorities have expressed concerns about their efficacy and safety. * Studies from the 1990s suggest that between 5.9 and 7.5% of English NHS general practitioners have prescribed homoeopathy, while less than 1% have prescribed herbal remedies. Current levels of prescribing are unknown but are thought to have increased. * Sixty percent of Scottish general practices now prescribe homoeopathic or herbal remedies. * The prevalence of homoeopathic prescribing in those under 16 years has doubled since 2000 and is maximal in children < 1 year old, of whom 1% are prescribed a homoeopathic remedy. * Recognized drug-herb interactions were identified in 4% of patients prescribed oral herbal remedies.

Published 22 November 2006 in Br J Clin Pharmacol, 62(6): 647-52.
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